Eden Hazard – the man who snubbed United and City – is out to cause England some pain

All eyes will be on Eden Hazard tomorrow. The most talked about footballer of the summer so far, he treated Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini like contestants on Blind Date before opting for Chelsea.

Belgium’s Eden Hazard will be a test for England’s defence ahead of Euro 2012

All eyes will be on Eden Hazard tomorrow. The most talked about footballer of the summer so far, he treated Sir Alex Ferguson and Roberto Mancini like contestants on Blind Date before opting for Chelsea.

He will provide world class opposition for England for the first time in the Roy Hodgson era.

Wembley won’t just be a chance to see what all the fuss is about – it will be an opportunity to see how Hodgson’s Three Lions cope against the biggest talents.

No matter how the new England manager tries to spin it, Norway and Belgium do not constitute the highest calibre of preparation for the European Championships.

But in Hazard, the Belgians have a star that Euro 2012 will be all the poorer without.

There is good reason why United, City and Chelsea fought so doggedly for his signature. And even if his milking of his moment in the spotlight was a touch distasteful, there is no doubting his quality.

The 21-year-old is as dangerous as anything England will face in the group stages in Poland and Ukraine, when they will have to deal with France’s Karim Benzema, Franck Ribery and Samir Nasri, and Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Hazard’s performances for Lille last season earned him the Player of the Year award in France and identified him as the most exciting young player in Europe.

A threat with either foot and a superb dribbler – even if Belgium shouldn’t provide the sternest of opposition, the manner in which Hodgson’s defence handles Chelsea’s new recruit will make fascinating viewing.

Tomorrow is his second and last chance to see England in anything like meaningful competition before they face France on June 11.

After being parachuted into the job, his early weeks in charge have been as much getting to know his players as stamping his footprint on the team.

Last Saturday’s victory against Norway was morale-boosting, if uninspiring – but it would be difficult to disguise that anything other than another win on home soil tomorrow as a blow going into the tournament.

Hodgson has already been at pains to manage expectations as he looks ahead to the bigger picture of the next World Cup. Yet supporters at Wembley will be looking for some evidence that England can at least do themselves justice at the Euros.

Having seen a lot of his covering players in Oslo, Hodgson is expected to play a team that will be closer to his first-choice XI against Belgium.

Chelsea trio John Terry, Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole should come into the side, while he will need to determine how his midfield will work without Gareth Barry.

Important

Frank Lampard always looked like a squad player, but without him – after he was ruled out with a thigh injury – England have lost an important option from the bench.

We will get an idea of if the England manager intends to operate with more of a 4-4-2 formation, which he deployed against Norway, with Ashley Young playing off Andy Carroll – or if he will try three in central midfield with Scott Parker as the anchor.

How Hodgson would love the option of a match-winner like Hazard – particularly with Wayne Rooney suspended for the opening two games of the tournament.

Carroll looks set to start up front against France after being handed the number nine shirt, but Danny Welbeck (pictured) will be hoping to get some game time after missing the end of the season with an ankle injury. Gary Neville warning to the Euro WAGs

The questions facing most England fans are the same as Hodgson is having to come to terms with after taking over a side that Fabio Capello had already led to qualification for the Euros.

The Italian was in the middle of a major reconstruction of the team that failed so badly at the last World Cup.

Joe Hart, Jack Wilshere, Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, Young and Welbeck were all part of his youthful re-imagining of England.

Hodgson has been robbed of Wilshere and Smalling of the new generation – and without Barry and Lampard, he is without two of his most experienced squad members.

Inheriting a suspended Rooney, he begins the tournament without his crown jewel.

So it is little wonder that he wishes to be judged in two years’ time rather than over the next two months.

Hazard may be the star attraction at Wembley tomorrow – but in their last rehearsal before heading out to the European Championship, England fans will be desperately looking for the merest sign that they too can shine.

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